The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse

Die 1000 Augen des Dr. Mabuse

Sinopse

The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse finds that diabolical Weimar name resurfacing in the Cold War era, linked now to the actions of a criminal gang whose methodology resembles that of the same villainous mastermind who gripped Berlin with his menace in the years preceding Hitler.

Lang's final film is one of his most underrated. Stylistically, it's some of his best work, even if it sadly lacks the strong resonance and political implications of the two previous Mabuse films. But what comes across most strongly is a vindicated sense of nostalgia for an old-school brand of thrills. Here's a swan song built for pure enjoyment. What can I say? The man went out on a high note.

The last feature of the master is a impressive compilation of his knowledge and favorites themes. The high-tempo rhythm, the transitions (cuts on sound, a trademark at this point), and a De Palmesque script offered the fans a delightful goodbye. And a few years before Argento's breakthrouh, a great whodunit? about the act of seeing.

Lang's trilogy is interesting for the way in which it increasingly moved away from its subject and instead studied the dissemination of the ideas of one of Germany's master manipulators. The effect is a study in pervasive surveillance and paranoia, conveniently tied into the idea that so many fates can be easily swayed. Unfortunately I found this third outing a little less compelling.

Lang continues his partnership with Artur Brauner, revisiting the criminal mastermind that played such a big role in his German career, comes out with a sometimes confusing, stilted, but typically Langian spy thriller worthy enough to stand as the last gasp of an aging, blinding, master.